In 1998, a 29-year-old British man named Karl Bushby made a casual bar bet: he would walk the entire circumference of the Earth and return home to England — without using any motorized transport to advance his journey.

What he thought might take around 12 years has now become a 27-year odyssey — and he’s still not done.

An Epic Journey

So far, Karl has walked over 31,000 miles (50,000 km) across four continents and through 25 countries. His journey has taken him from the southern tip of South America, through the deadly Darién Gap (between Colombia and Panama), across the frozen Bering Strait on shifting sea ice, and through countless other extreme environments.

He lives by two unbreakable rules:

• No motorized transport to move forward.
• He cannot return home to England until he arrives there on foot.

Extraordinary Challenges

• In 2013, Russia banned him from re-entering for five years. So Karl walked over 3,000 miles from Los Angeles to the Russian Embassy in Washington DC to appeal the decision. He won.
• In 2024, facing closed borders in the Middle East, he swam 288 kilometers (179 miles) across the Caspian Sea over 31 days — despite not being a trained long-distance swimmer.

Now 56 years old, Karl is currently in Hungary, roughly 932 miles (1,500 km) from his hometown of Hull, England. He is on track to complete his journey in September 2026.

A Life on Foot

Karl Bushby began this journey as a young adventurer. Nearly three decades later, he has become a symbol of unbreakable determination and human endurance. His journey is no longer just about winning a bet — it has become a lifelong commitment to one of the most extreme walking challenges ever attempted.

When he finally steps foot back in England after nearly 30 years, it will mark the end of one of the greatest modern adventures in human history.

Respect to Karl Bushby — the man who refused to give up on a crazy dream.

One foot in front of the other, for 27 years and counting. What an incredible story of perseverance.